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Mission Statement

The mission of Kirkpatrick Consulting is to lend its knowledge and skills, especially regarding CNC (Computer Numeric Control) programming and machining, to members of the manufacturing community, businesses and individuals, to increase the quality of customer service and of manufactured goods across the industry.

Instruction Assistance

Kirkpatrick Consulting is currently assisting companies in the instruction and training of their employees in machining and CNC operation skills as well as CNC programming.

CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control. More specifically, a machine (usually a machine used in manufacturing) that is controlled by a computer. The machine's computer converts a "machine program" (in reality, a parameter list) into digital numeric data and passes that data on to the machine. The data controls the machine's functions, movements, and actions.

Conversational programming
involves
generating a "machine program" by utilizing prompts given by the
machine tool interface. For example, if it were desired to drill a hole
in an item, the drill command would be selected. The machine tool
interface would prompt the user for the location of the hole, its
diameter and depth, which tool number to use for the operation, and
what type of material was being machined. Then the machine tool would
determine the spindle speed (RPM) and the feed rate (how quickly or
slowly to push the drill into the material) on its own. Then the
information would be saved in the machine tool's computer as a "machine
program". Once the item is mounted properly in the machine tool, the
"machine program" could be executed by starting the cycle. Then the
machine would load the proper tool and drill the hole in the location
and to the depth specified. Conversational programming is usually done
at the machine using the machine tool interface (control panel with
CRT), but with the special software can be done at a PC to be loaded
into the machine at a later time when needed.

G-code Programming

G-code programming requires a
bit
more
skill on the
part of the user and can be done either at the machine using the
machine tool interface (control panel with CRT), or can be done at a PC
to be loaded into the machine at a later time when needed. It is not
usually required to have any expensive special software to do G-code
programming on a PC. A generic text editor will do just fine. Although
a serial cable, or network cable may be required to load the program if the machine is not equipped with a floppy disk drive. And machines without network
capability will also require some generic software on the PC to be able
to send the data to the machine. More...

CAM Software

CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing (or Machining). CAM software attempts to automate the generation of a "machine program" by making a "conversational programming" interface available on a PC. CAM software also attempts to make the "machine programming" process easier by allowing the user to view and electronic image that represents the item to be manufactured in the form of a drawing. Also during the programming process, instead of entering part
feature information, the user is able to select part features using a mouse or other digitizing hardware directly on the computer monitor.

Kirkpatrick Consulting currently uses Powerstation Pro 2006 as its CAD/CAM platform of choice for generation of most of its CNC G-code programs for its client customers. Kirkpatrick Consulting has produced several post-processors for various CNC controls for milling machines with special features.

R. David Kirkpatrick, d.b.a. Kirkpatrick Consulting, conceived and established the company in 1999 as a creative outlet for underused skills and to attempt to improve those skills for the betterment of a small part of the manufacturing world.

Kirkpatrick Consulting is currently seeking to provide contract CNC lathe, mill, and router programming, training, and consulting services to machine shops and manufacturing businesses that utilize CNC lathes, mills, and routers. Kirkpatrick Consulting has over 13 years of experience in machining and manufacturing. Kirkpatrick Consulting has CAD and CAM and machining experience with machine parts ranging in size from 0.118 inch diameter microwave contacts up to cast valve bodies weighing several thousand pounds. Kirkpatrick Consulting also has experience with tooling and fixture design as well as reverse engineering.

Kirkpatrick Consulting offers CNC programming services on a per machine program basis. Kirkpatrick Consulting also offers onsite support required for programming or machine set up labor for production runs, which incurs additional cost of on clock time and travel costs where required. Kirkpatrick Consulting can also assist with machining at your location of prototype parts and “one offs”, using your machines and tooling.

Kirkpatrick Consulting can design training packages and conduct training for machine operation, set up, and programming, as well as basic manufacturing skills, such as shop math and blue print reading. Kirkpatrick Consulting has experience with a variety of lathes, mill, and routers, equipped with controls, such as, Fagor, Fanuc, Haas, Homag, Mazatrol, and Seimens, and retrofits, such as Anilam, Centroid, and Servo II. Kirkpatrick Consulting can develop customized software for aiding in CNC programming.

As a contracted consulting service, Kirkpatrick Consulting is independent of normal payroll requirements and handles all of its own required taxes for federal withholding and social security and medicare. Kirkpatrick Consulting prefers to bill weekly, as projects are completed, with net due on receipt, but is willing to negotiate other terms if required by a client.